| Susan L. Whitehouse, an American
Impressionist, paints in the tradition of the Boston School. This school
of painting was pioneered by Edmund Tarbell, Frank Benson,, Joseph DeCamp,
and Philip Hale, among others (the “Ten”). These turn-of-the-century
painters brought a fresh vision to their European training which fostered
the pursuit of truth and beauty found in nature. The American group combined
the French Impressionists’ color sensitivity with the discipline of
fine and accurate draftsmenship that may be traced back to the 17th and
18th century studios of Jacques Louis-David, Ingres, and Gerome.
This French atelier (studio) tradition
has been continued in the United States through the determination and generosity
of men such as William Paxton and Ives Gammell. These traditions were passed
on to Paul Ingbretson of Boston and plein-aire painter David Curtis of Gloucester.
The orderly progression of studies includes drawing extensively from plaster
casts and figure drawing and continues with still life, landscape, portrait
and figure painting. The artists are always working directly from life in
order to capture a sense of light and a reverence for nature in their art.
Whitehouse has had the privilege to
study full time for several years with Ingbretson and Curtis thereby continuing
the Boston School of Painting. Emphasis on accurately rendered form, sensitivity
to beautiful line and true values, and an impressionistic delight in color
and light mark her work. Serene vision and playfulness set the tones while
attention to detail and technique complete each painting. She aspires always
to maintain the high ideals established by this dedicated tradition.
At present, Whitehouse is drawn to the
complexities of fine still life painting. She constructs her designs with
a subtle control that draws the viewer into and around her atmospheric and
often whimsical pieces. Summers find her capturing coastal New England with
a fresh vision. Her newest series focuses on Matinicus Isle off Rockland,
Maine. Other series depict the revival of the model schooner races conducted
yearly by the local lobstermen and boat builders of Cape Porpoise, Maine,
waves crashing on the Maine coast, and the building of classic Herreshoff
sloops. Whitehouse also practices the art of fine portraiture.
Whitehouse is an exhibiting member of
the American Society of Marine Artists, the American Society of Portrait
Artists, the North Shore Arts Association, Gloucester, Massachusetts, the
Rockport Art Association, Rockport, Mass., Maine Women in the Arts and the
Art Guild of the Kennebunks, Maine.
RECENT AWARDS INCLUDE:
Rockport Art Association Gold Medal
2004
North Shore Arts Association, 1st Prize
2004
Academic Artists Association 2004
Rockport Art Association Silver Medal.
2003
Art Guild of the Kennebunks. Best in
Oils. 2003
Rockport Art Association. Excellence
in Painting. 2000
River Club, Kennebunkport. Honorable
Mention. 2000
Rockport Art Association. Excellence
in Painting. 1999
River Club, Kennebunkport. Honorable
Mention. 1999
Art Guild of the Kennebunks. Best in
Oil. 1999
Rockport Art Association. Honorable
Mention. 1998
RECENT SHOWS INCLUDE:
Academic Artists Association 2004
River Tree Arts, Kennebunk 2004
State House, Augusta, Maine. 2003
Mitchell Museum, Trinidad, CO. 2003
Gleason Fine Art, Camden, ME. 2002
Academic Artists Association. 2002
Hudson Valley Arts Association. 2002
The Polish Consulate, New York City.
2000
The Clown, Portland, Maine. 2000
Gallery at Chase Hill, Kennebunkport.
1998
Jensen Fine Art, New York City. 1997
|
Back to artist's
paintings